THE FLORA OF THE MALAY· PENINSULA

CXXXVI. ORCHIDElE. 5
saprophytes; or epiphytes with short or long stems, the branches
of which maybe swollen and fleshy (pseudobulbs), the leaves usually
coriaceous flat, distichous or terete or rarely (Tceniophyllum) absent.
Inflorescence axillary or terminal racemose, spicate or panicled.
Perianth superior, of three sepals petaloid, the two lateral ones
sometimes connate into a spur or sac (mentum). Petals 3, two
similar, the third opposite the column very different, often lobed
and spurred and bearing calli, processes of various shapes (the lip,
labellum). Stamens and style united into a column opposite the
lip, long or short, erect on the top of the ovary, often prolonged
into a foot to which the lip is adnate. Anther I terminal or 2
(Cypripedium) adnate to the top of the column or stalked. Pollengrains
cohering in 2, 4, 6, or 8 waxy or powdery masses (pollinia)
attached to I or 2 thin, flat, or terete stalks (caud£cles) with an
adhesive disc below, or caudicles and disc absent. The other two
stamens are represented by wings or arms of the column. Stigmas
3, one forming a fiat, round or triangular, often bifid beak or plate
below the anther, the rostellum, the other two forming a viscid mass
sunk in a hollow of the column below the rostellum or rarely protruding.
Ovary inferior usually twisted, I-celled; ovules numerous.
Fruit capsular, rarely baccate (Vanilla) elliptic, pear-shaped
or cylindric, dehiscing Qften in 3 valves. Seed minute. Species
over 5000, whole world, rare in desert regions, most abundant in
the tropics.
TRIBES.
Fertile anther I.
Pollinia waxy, 2 to 8 with no caudicles or
disc, terrestrial or epiphytic wlth or
without pseudo bulbs .' . . I. EPIDENDREiE
Pollmia waxy, 2 to 4 wlth I or 2 caudicles
and I to 2 dlscs; eplphytlc or
terrestrial. • . . . II. VANDEiE
Pollinia mealy wlth I or 2 caudicles and
I disc, herbs terrestrial, no pseudobulbs.
• • • . • III. NEOTTIElE
Pollima mealy 2 caudicles and 2 discs,
terrestrial. •
IV. O>:'HaYDElE
Fertile anthers 2; lip saccate; terrestrial
herbs • ./ V. CYPRIPEDIElE
Tribe 1. EPIDENDRElE.
1. MALAXElE. Terrestrial or eplphytic. Flowers small in a terminal
raceme. Column footless. Pollinia 2 to 4, no disc.
Column short.
o Terrestrial, pseudobulbous; leaves broad
herbaceous. . • • . I. MICROSTYLlS
Epiphytic; leaves distichous, fleshy, no
rhizome 2. OBERONIA
Column long.
Leaves and - flowers as in Oberonia but a
long rhizome 3. HIPPEOPHYLLUM